John David Lewis

An inspiration to all that knew him, John David Lewis left us to be with the Lord on 2/19/18 at 3:08 a.m. John was born 2/26/1938 in Gary Indiana, the youngest son of William Gape Lewis, a Millworker and Ceinwen “Kay” Lewis, a stay at home Mom. John grew up as a happy child with his older siblings, Ben and Mary Lou, who were all very close. Following graduation from Horace Mann High School in 1957, he enrolled in Purdue University, acknowledged often as the only true University in the great state of Indiana. Following Purdue, with a desire to travel the world with two of his buddies, Lue Mennor and Al Bucur, John enlisted in the United States Navy in 1959 where he served his country with great honor through 1961. After the Navy, John worked by day at Sears with his buddy, Gerry Grimm, marketing appliances and other store items, later moving into Visual Merchandising and Displays. During the evening hours he was an instructor of Ball Room Dance at Arthur Murray, John met his dance protege Susanne Taylor in 1961 and four years later in 1965 he and his protégé married. In 1969 John accepted a position at Midwest Steel as an Industrial Engineer and in 1982 he seized an opportunity to work in the Human Resource Department. Later in life he was met with one of his greatest challenges when diagnosed with lung cancer in May 2012. With God’s grace each step of the way, John fought and beat the odds bringing the cancer into full remission. A testimony to his grit and the support of his loving family, he pressed on making every day count. John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to so many people. He was a master joke teller, often laughing himself as tears welled in his eyes when giving the punch line. He was most happy surrounded by family during get togethers or vacations. A man who wouldn’t be caught with “a fancy beer” he enjoyed Miller High Life with a good steak and potato. John was humble, quick witted, a man of integrity, faith filled with a strong work ethic, wanting only the best for his family and freely sharing his wisdom but only when asked. He was not a Democrat and often enjoyed talking politics and the state of the nation. To you John, you will be so very much missed but all of us know you’re rounding the 9th hole on a waterfront course with Uncle Ben and have reservations at the finest restaurant heaven offers with Maryland Crab Cakes and a Rusty Nail. We’ll see you in a bit. John is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, children David Lewis (Kelly and granddaughter Amanda) and Dana Wolff (Thomas), grandchildren Tommy and Emma Wolff and his sister Mary Lou and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. A celebration of John’s life will be held for the immediate family. Burns Funeral Home, Hobart, entrusted with arrangements. A Memorial donation in memory of John may be made to The Cancer Research Institute. Donations may be made online or sent by mail. By mail: Cancer Research Institute, Web Donation, 29 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10006-3111. www.burnsfuneral.com.

John David Lewis

February 26, 1938 - February 19, 2018